|
Speeches and Testimony
Grover
Norquist, President of Americans for Tax Reform, statement submitted
to ICANN
October 13, 1999
Recently, the Internet Corporation
for the Assignment of Names and Numbers (ICANN) reached an agreement
with Network Solutions Inc. (NSI) regarding the issue of property rights
to NSI's work product, which allows NSI to continue their operations
as the master registry for Web addresses, and insures ICANN accountability.
I testified before Congress on July 22, 1999, to express concern regarding
ICANN's illegally applied taxation to web page owners, and to stand
firmly against the regulatory nature of ICANN's actions and proposed
policies.
The importance of the agreement
reached by these two parties should not be understated. This is an important
step to ensure the future of electronic commerce and the future of the
Internet itself. ICANN must be held accountable for its actions to guarantee
that the narrow mission that it is to pursue does not grow and does
not develop into the Federal Internet Commission, a course that I was
afraid they had charted.
In many ways the Internet
has become too popular. It has now become large enough to gain notice
and small enough to still gain control over. Many are now attempting
to have a hand in controlling it or taxing it.
Few understand the importance
of this new means of commerce - this emerging economy. That is not so
bad. What is bad, is when these same people attempt to regulate or tax
this system without considering the consequences beyond their personal
gain.
What must not be forgotten
in this deal is that Congress has a vital and continuing role to play
here. Congress should hold regular oversight hearings to guarantee that
all parties are following not only the letter, but also the spirit,
of the several agreements. More directly, the public sector must keep
an eye on ICANN, as the public should understand that its inherent freedoms
are being determined.
I urge ICANN to never again
turn to taxation of the Internet in an attempt to raise funds for itself.
The breadth of government can swell quickly, but rarely as fast as when
a new oppressive tax is imposed that curtails the natural growth of
a more efficient means of commerce.
ATR is also quite pleased
in our understanding that ICANN will no longer attempt to make policy
for the governance, or other issues, in regards to the Internet. Instead,
and much to the credit of the negotiators, the organization has agreed
to a very limited function by following a very different policy process.
ICANN will not decide on implementation of policy, but only whether
due process has been followed and that the consensus process has been
met. Essentially, they will guarantee that the Internet community really
wants the new policy. This is now the limit of what ICANN will determine.
The taxpayer's movement has
a continuing interest in just how the agreement will play out over the
years. As a government spending watchdog, with deep concerns regarding
the breadth of government, ATR and I, will stand ready to evaluate the
actions of all parties to this new agreement.
Onward,
Grover G. Norquist
|
